Bits of Torah Truths – Torah Concept in the NT: Let Us Who are Perfect Press forward toward the Mark – Episode 611
Philippians 3:14–15
אֲנִי רָץ אֶל הַמַּטָּרָה כְּדֵי לְהַשִּׂיג אֶת הַפְּרָס שֶׁבִּקְרִיאָה–שֶׁל–מַעְלָה, קְרִיאָתוֹ שֶׁל אֱלֹהִים בַּמָּשִׁיחַ יֵשׁוּעַ. לָכֵן כָּל בּוֹגֵר שֶׁבֵּינֵינוּ יַחְשֹׁב נָא כָּךְ, וְאִם בְּאֵיזֶה עִנְיָן חוֹשְׁבִים אַתֶּם אַחֶרֶת, גַּם אֶת זֹאת יְגַלֶּה לָכֶם אֱלֹהִים.
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Philippians 3:14–15
3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; (NASB)
https://www.matsati.com/index.php/category/bits-of-torah-truths/
Paul says in Philippians 3:14–15 “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus… let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded” which reflects a pursuit of spiritual maturity and covenantal purpose that finds strong conceptual parallels in the Torah. While the Torah does not use Paul’s exact language like “press toward the mark,” it does establish a framework of covenantal striving, maturity, and forward movement toward divine calling. – Covenantal Calling and Forward Movement – Genesis 12:1–4 Abraham called to “go forth” initiates covenantal journey; obedience to divine call. Exodus 3:10–12 Moses called to lead Israel out of Egypt which is a divine summons toward a redemptive goal. Deuteronomy 6:5 “Love the LORD your God with all your heart…” is total devotion as the mark of covenant fidelity and love. Deuteronomy 10:12–13 “What does the LORD require of you…” ethical and spiritual striving as covenant response. These passages reflect the Torah’s emphasis on movement toward divine purpose, often requiring sacrifice, perseverance, and trust. – Spiritual Maturity and Perfection – Genesis 17:1, Deuteronomy 18:13, and Leviticus 19:2. The Hebrew term tamim aligns conceptually with Paul’s use of “perfect” (τέλειοι, teleioi) in Philippians 3:15, denoting mature, complete, covenant-faithful individuals. – Striving Toward the Goal – Exodus 13:17–22, Numbers 14:6–9, and Deuteronomy 1:6–8. These passages reflect the Torah’s motif of pressing forward, not merely geographically but spiritually toward the fulfillment of divine calling. Paul’s exhortation in Philippians 3:14–15 is structurally consistent with Torah themes of Divine calling, Spiritual maturity, and Forward movement toward covenant goal. The Torah does not frame this as “winning a prize,” but it does present covenant life as a journey of obedience, growth, and perfection, culminating in inheritance and divine fellowship, concepts Paul reinterprets in light of Christ. This is how Paul taught Torah, the Torah has not passed away!
